Ukrainian Train Information

General Information

Total length of railroads is Ukraine is 22800km. Extensive railroad network connects majority of cities, towns
and villages of the country.

Trains are a very reliable way to travel within Ukraine, especially in the winter time when many domestic
flights are cancelled or delayed due to poor weather conditions, while car travel is not good either and bus
travel, being quite uncomfortable, will take ages. On top of that many cities just cannot be reached via air.
A train will definitely be en-rout and will reach a destination point on time or with minimum delay, no matter
what is the weather and time of the year. Therefore, train travel in Ukraine is so popular among travelers.
Not to mention it is very inexpensive.

To read detailed information about trains used in Ukraine, types of carriages and cabins on trains, to
view some pictures and lots more, please, visit our train guide.

Train tickets can be purchased at the railroad stations and offices, and in a few travel agencies.
Please, note that knowing some Ukrainian or Russian is a useful skill while getting the tickets at the
railroad office since knowing foreign language is not a requirement for working there. Also, tickets
cannot be reserved or put on hold, they can be bought only.

The tickets are bookable within 42 days term prior to the departure date.Train tickets are not
available earlier.

During off seasons there are no problems even if buying tickets 2-3 days prior to the departure.
When Holidays all tickets are sold out much earlier, sometimes no tickets left 3-4 weeks before a
travel date. Bad weather conditions may become another reason for train tickets deficit since flights
are cancelled or delayed and trains become the best option to travel.

But weather conditions and other reasons are unpredictable, so it is recommended to take care of
train tickets about the time they start being available.

The ticket tariff varies from USD 10 to USD100 and includes insurance and taxes. Payment for the
linen and towels is due upon check-in to a steward directly in amount of UAH 5-10 (which is USD 1-2).
Make sure you have some local currency for paying for the linen.

Tickets are typed by means of printers on the specially designed forms with water marks. These
templates are bilingual - Ukrainian and Russian, inserted data is in Russian.

Rail tickets data contains passenger's last name in Russian. You may be requested to show your
passport for identification upon boarding a train.

'Express-2' system is used for the tickets booking network. This is a unified system for all FSU
countries, but it is not connected to Western European booking systems. Therefore tickets for train
traveling in Ukraine cannot be bought outside of the country.

Luggage weighting up to 35 kg (80 lbs) is included in the ticket tariff. If you have more luggage you can
buy an additional ticket and have permission for 70 kg (160lbs) of the luggage. For transferring bulky
objects, baggage carriages are used.

Food

The majority of trains have dining or buffet cars, which serve alcohol and soft drinks, water, snacks
and some cooked meals. The latter is not advisable.

It is a good idea to take some food with you: bottled water, snacks, canned meat or fish, vegetables
and fruits, cereal and packed milk, anything that will not spoil if stored in a room temperature and you
can live on for the length of your trip. There is no cooler in carriages, so packed food is the best. The
same applies if eating at a train restaurant.

Getting food from train station vendors is not safe, no matter how delicious it looks. Fruits and
vegetables are exception. Just wash them properly. Peaches, tomatoes, watermelons, apples, grapes and all
grown on Ukrainian soil is just irresistible.

Hygiene

Always take personal supplies for hygiene, since it is a rare occasion when one finds toilet paper
supply in a train lavatory or the paper might appear to be of a poor quality. Moisturized tissues
will be handy too, for tapping water is mostly available at lavatory rooms.

Disposable cups, plates, spoons and forks will serve you good if your train trip is lengthy and
you are taking food with you. We would never recommend to use train crockery as well as water supply
there. Carry bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and washing up.

Smoking

There is no division into carriages for smokers and non-smokers on Ukrainian trains. It is allowed to
smoke in a wagon platform of long-way trains. The platform shouldn't be next to the stewards' cabin.
It is prohibited to smoke in cabins and passage ways.

It is not allowed to smoke in Suburban Trains as well, but this rule is often violated.

Security

Traveling by train is as secure as the other transportation options if you follow some simple advices:

Keep money, documents and valuables on yourself.

Do not leave your cabin for a long time.

Keep all your luggage in special boxes under lower berths.

Do not leave your luggage with strangers. The luggage can be placed in your cabin or stored in a
luggage-car.

Lock the cabin door during the night time.

Do not accept food and alcohol from unknown passengers.

When an opportunity offers travel by Express trains. Get 1st class tickets when available. You can
also travel alone if you wish - just book a full cabin for your private usage.

I have used Ukraine Tours twice in the last six months and the service has been outstanding, fast, efficient, and very clear. Charges are clear and done electronically with a separate receipt for accounts. An outstanding service and trustworthy.